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One of the most common questions we hear from foreign clients after their court marriage: "Can I stay in Nepal now that I'm married?" The answer is yes — but not automatically. Nepal does not issue a "marriage visa" by that exact name. Instead, the Department of Immigration issues a Non-Tourist Visa (commonly called a spouse visa or dependent visa) to foreign nationals married to Nepali citizens. This visa allows you to live in Nepal, but it comes with specific rules around duration, renewal, work rights, and the pathway to citizenship. This guide explains everything a foreign spouse needs to know about staying in Nepal after court marriage in Nepal.
Marriage visa in Nepal refers to the Non-Tourist Visa issued by the Department of Immigration to foreign nationals married to Nepali citizens. The first issuance is for up to 6 months, renewable for up to 1 year at a time. The Nepali spouse must be present at every application and renewal. After 7 years of marriage and continuous residence, the foreign spouse may apply for Nepali citizenship under Article 11 of the Constitution.
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Does Nepal Have a "Marriage Visa"?
Not by that exact name. Nepal's Immigration Act 2049 (1992) and Immigration Rules categorise visas into Tourist Visas and Non-Tourist Visas. There is no separate category called "marriage visa" or "spouse visa." However, the Non-Tourist Visa issued to the foreign spouse of a Nepali citizen is functionally what people mean when they say "marriage visa."
| Common Name | Official Category | Issued By |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage Visa / Spouse Visa | Non-Tourist Visa (Dependent category) | Department of Immigration, Kathmandu |
| Tourist Visa | Tourist Visa | On arrival at airport or Nepal Embassy abroad |
| Work Visa | Non-Tourist Visa (Employment category) | Department of Immigration + Ministry of Labour |
Key distinction: You enter Nepal on a tourist visa to complete the court marriage process. After the marriage, you apply to convert your tourist visa to a Non-Tourist Visa (spouse category) at the Department of Immigration.
Who Qualifies for the Spouse Visa?
The Non-Tourist Visa (spouse category) is available to:
- A foreign national legally married to a Nepali citizen — the marriage must be registered at a Nepal District Court or recognised by Nepal
- The marriage must be current and valid — divorced or separated spouses do not qualify
- The Nepali spouse must be present at the Department of Immigration when the application is filed and at every renewal
Important: This visa is only available when one spouse is a Nepali citizen. If two foreigners marry each other in Nepal, neither qualifies for a spouse visa — both remain on their tourist visas.
What Visa Do You Need to Come to Nepal for Marriage?
Before the marriage, a standard tourist visa is sufficient. You do not need any special visa to file a court marriage application in Nepal.
| Stage | Visa Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Before marriage | Tourist Visa | Available on arrival for most nationalities. 15-day, 30-day, or 90-day options |
| During the 15-day residency period | Tourist Visa | The mandatory 15-day stay is completed on a tourist visa |
| After court marriage | Convert to Non-Tourist Visa | Apply at the Department of Immigration with the marriage certificate |
Tourist visa limit: Foreign nationals can stay in Nepal for a maximum of 150 days per calendar year on a tourist visa. If you plan to stay longer after marriage, converting to a Non-Tourist Visa is essential.
How to Apply for the Spouse Visa
Where to Apply
The Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu handles all Non-Tourist Visa applications. This is the only office that processes spouse visa conversions.
Documents Required
| # | Document | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non-Tourist Visa application form | Available at the Department of Immigration or downloadable from their website |
| 2 | Marriage certificate | Original court marriage certificate issued by the District Court |
| 3 | Foreign spouse's passport | Original with valid Nepal visa and 6+ months remaining validity |
| 4 | Nepali spouse's citizenship certificate | Original Nagarikta |
| 5 | Passport-size photographs | 2 recent photographs of the foreign spouse |
| 6 | Recommendation letter | From the local Ward Office confirming the couple resides together |
| 7 | Visa fee | Paid at the Department of Immigration counter |
Critical requirement: The Nepali spouse must appear in person at the Department of Immigration along with the foreign spouse. Applications submitted without the Nepali spouse present will be rejected.
Process Timeline
| Step | Action | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gather documents and complete application form | 1–2 days |
| 2 | Submit application at Department of Immigration (both spouses present) | 1 day |
| 3 | Department verifies documents and marriage certificate | 3–7 working days |
| 4 | Pay visa fee and collect passport with Non-Tourist Visa stamp | 1 day |
Total processing time: 5–10 working days from submission to visa issuance.
Duration and Renewal
| Detail | Rule |
|---|---|
| First issuance | Up to 6 months |
| Renewal | Up to 1 year at a time |
| Maximum continuous stay | No upper limit — as long as you renew annually |
| Renewal location | Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu |
| Nepali spouse required at renewal? | Yes — must appear in person every time |
| What if the tourist visa expires before spouse visa is issued? | Apply for visa extension at the Department before expiry. Overstaying results in fines |
Practical tip: Many couples apply for the spouse visa within the first week after receiving the marriage certificate. Do not wait until your tourist visa is about to expire — start the process immediately after your court marriage.
Need help with your spouse visa application? We assist with the full process →
Work Rights for Foreign Spouses
The Non-Tourist Visa (spouse category) does not automatically grant work permission in Nepal. If you want to work in Nepal as a foreign spouse, you need to understand the distinction:
| Activity | Permitted on Spouse Visa? | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Living in Nepal | Yes | None — residence is the primary purpose |
| Owning property jointly with Nepali spouse | Limited — foreigners cannot own land in Nepal | Property must be in the Nepali spouse's name |
| Employment with a Nepal-based company | No — requires a separate work permit | Employer must apply through the Department of Labour |
| Self-employment or business | Possible with company registration | Register a company under the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act (FITTA) |
| Volunteering | Generally permitted | No formal work permit required for unpaid volunteer work with registered organisations |
Key insight from practice: Most foreign spouses who want to work in Nepal either register a company (often jointly with their Nepali spouse) or find employment with an international organisation or NGO that handles the work permit process.
Pathway to Nepali Citizenship
Article 11 of the Constitution of Nepal 2072 (2015) provides a pathway to citizenship for foreign spouses of Nepali citizens:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Marriage duration | Must be married to a Nepali citizen for at least 7 years |
| Continuous residence | Must have lived in Nepal continuously during the marriage period |
| Renounce foreign citizenship | Must renounce citizenship of your home country (Nepal does not allow dual citizenship) |
| Type of citizenship | Naturalised citizenship — not citizenship by descent. This distinction matters for certain constitutional rights |
| Application authority | Ministry of Home Affairs, through the District Administration Office |
Important constitutional note: There has been ongoing debate about the citizenship rights of foreign spouses — particularly foreign women married to Nepali men vs foreign men married to Nepali women. The current constitutional provision applies equally regardless of gender, but the practical implementation and processing times can vary. Consult a lawyer for the latest status of your specific case.
Common Visa Problems and Solutions
- Tourist visa expiring before spouse visa is ready — apply for a tourist visa extension at the Department of Immigration before your visa expires. Overstaying results in daily fines and complications for future visa applications
- Nepali spouse unavailable for renewal — the Department strictly requires the Nepali spouse to be physically present. If your spouse is travelling, plan the renewal around their schedule
- Marriage certificate not accepted — this happens when the certificate is from a Ward Office marriage with a foreigner. Foreign nationals must marry through the District Court for immigration purposes
- Visa fee confusion — fees change periodically. Confirm the current fee at the Department of Immigration before your visit
- Working without a work permit — foreign spouses caught working without a permit face fines and potential visa cancellation. Always obtain proper work authorisation
- Leaving Nepal for extended periods — if you leave Nepal for more than 6 months continuously, your spouse visa may lapse. Re-entry requires a fresh application
Need help navigating Nepal's immigration process after your court marriage? We assist with spouse visa applications, renewals, and citizenship consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not by that exact name. Nepal issues a Non-Tourist Visa (dependent/spouse category) to foreign nationals married to Nepali citizens. This is commonly called a "marriage visa" or "spouse visa" and is issued by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
A standard tourist visa is sufficient. You do not need any special visa to file a court marriage application. Tourist visas are available on arrival for most nationalities. After the marriage, you convert to a Non-Tourist Visa at the Department of Immigration.
The first spouse visa is issued for up to 6 months. After that, it can be renewed for up to 1 year at a time. There is no upper limit on renewals — you can continue renewing annually as long as the marriage remains valid.
Yes. The Nepali spouse must appear in person at the Department of Immigration for both the initial application and every renewal. Applications without the Nepali spouse present are rejected.
The spouse visa alone does not grant work permission. To work for a Nepal-based employer, you need a separate work permit through the Department of Labour. Self-employment is possible by registering a company under the Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act.
Under Article 11 of the Constitution of Nepal 2072, foreign spouses must be married to a Nepali citizen for at least 7 years and have lived continuously in Nepal during that period. You must also renounce your foreign citizenship, as Nepal does not allow dual citizenship.
No. The spouse visa (Non-Tourist Visa, dependent category) is only available when one partner is a Nepali citizen. If two foreigners marry each other in Nepal, both remain on their tourist visas and must leave within the 150-day annual limit.
Apply for a tourist visa extension at the Department of Immigration before your visa expires. Overstaying results in daily fines and complications for future visa applications. Start the spouse visa process immediately after receiving your marriage certificate.
Visa fees are set by the Department of Immigration and are updated periodically. The fees are significantly more affordable than equivalent immigration processes in Western countries. Contact us for current fee information.
Nepal does not have a formal "permanent residency" visa. The spouse visa is renewed annually without an upper limit, effectively allowing permanent residence. After 7 years of marriage and continuous residence, you may apply for naturalised citizenship.
You need the Non-Tourist Visa application form, original marriage certificate, foreign spouse's passport, Nepali spouse's citizenship certificate, 2 passport-size photographs, Ward Office recommendation letter, and the visa fee. Both spouses must appear in person.
Foreigners cannot own land or property in Nepal in their own name. Property must be registered in the Nepali spouse's name. However, married couples may jointly invest in businesses and movable assets.
If you leave Nepal for an extended period (typically more than 6 months continuously), your spouse visa may lapse. Re-entry would require a fresh tourist visa and a new Non-Tourist Visa application. Maintain your residence status with regular returns.
Yes. You can convert directly from a tourist visa to a Non-Tourist Visa (spouse category) at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu without leaving Nepal. Bring your marriage certificate and required documents to the Department.
Ward Office marriages are only valid for marriages between two Nepali citizens. If one partner is a foreigner, the marriage must be registered through the District Court. A Ward Office marriage certificate involving a foreigner may not be accepted for the spouse visa.
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